Role of Ultrasound of Hydatid Cyst in Human

Hydatid disease (echinococcosis) is a zoonotic infection of humans caused by Echinococcus granulosus. The disease poses an important public health problem in many areas of the world, particularly among populations that practice sheep husbandry. The prevalence of the disease is reported to be high in Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia, due to the presence of sheep and dogs living in close contact with humans, especially among the Bedouins. Studies of the disease in the Kingdom have shown multi-organ involvement, including the heart. A relatively high frequency of pulmonary, hepatic and pancreatic hydatid disease has been reported, presumably because of airborne spread, with the lungs acting as the first filter Most published studies on hydatid disease address clinical and/or management experiences, most which are comparable in many instances. However, this study describes the epidemiology of hydatid disease among diagnosed patients admitted to a major hospital in Alqassim, Saudi Arabia.